Nisha Pandey

Meet Audrey Zheng: 17-YO Who Developed Blood Test For Pancreatic Cancer That Correctly Identified 87% Of Patients

A 17-year-old high school student from Pennsylvania has developed a blood test for detecting pancreatic cancer. Its early testing indicated it correctly identified 87% of patients with the disease. 

<span>Audrey Zheng</span>, a senior at <span>North Allegheny Senior High School</span> in Wexford, Pennsylvania, developed the test as part of her bioengineering research. Her work focuses on detecting tiny tumour-derived particles circulating in the blood, potentially offering a less invasive way of identifying pancreatic cancer. 

In clinical testing, the method correctly identified 87% of people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and correctly ruled out the disease in 87.5% of people who did not have it. 

Her research has earned her a place as a national finalist in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the major science competitions for US high school students. 

<h2>Audrey Zheng's Blood Test Uses Tiny Tumour-Derived Particles </h2>

The blood testdeveloped by <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/uk-set-to-implement-stricter-prostate-cancer-testing-protocol-which-groups-are-eligible-to-get-tested-article-155692977" data-type="tilCustomLink">Audrey Zheng</a> uses tiny magnetic beads to separate tumour-derived particles from blood samples. 

These particles can carry biological information released by cancer cells. Zheng's research then focuses on analysing genetic mutations within this material to identify pancreatic cancer in patients. 

The milestone is noteworthy as pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect early. Many patients do not develop obvious symptoms until the disease has already advanced, reducing the chances of successful treatment.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/moderna-and-mercks-custom-made-mrna-cancer-vaccine-shows-promise-in-late-stage-melanoma-trial-article-155785421" data-type="tilCustomLink">Moderna and Merck’s Custom-Made mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise In Late-Stage Melanoma Trial</a> 

<h2>Early Detection Is A Major Challenge In Pancreatic Cancer </h2>

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer. There is currently no standard screening test for <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/groundbreaking-experimental-vaccine-may-prevent-pancreatic-cancer-from-spreading-early-trial-finds-article-155707933" data-type="tilCustomLink">pancreatic cancer</a> for people at average risk. 

Researchers have therefore been exploring blood-based biomarkers, imaging techniques, and artificial intelligence tools that could identify the disease earlier. 

Although Zheng's work is still at the research stage and would require much larger independent studies and trials before it could be considered for clinical use.

Also read: <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-news/why-flight-attendants-pilots-face-higher-risk-of-radiation-linked-cancer-deaths-than-other-occupations-article-155770603" data-type="tilCustomLink">Why Flight Attendants, Pilots Face Higher Risk Of Radiation-Linked Cancer Deaths Than Other Occupations?</a> 

Football's Hidden Sleeping Pill Crisis: Why More Players Can't Sleep #shorts #shortsfeeds

The reported 87% figure refers to sensitivity, meaning the proportion of people with pancreatic cancer whom the test correctly identified. Its reported ability to correctly rule out cancer was 87.5%. 

Current diagnosis methods for pancreatic cancer involve imaging scans, endoscopic procedures, and tissue sampling, depending on the patient's symptoms and clinical situation. A <a href="https://www.healthandme.com/health-wellness/how-to-read-your-blood-test-results-a-simple-guide-to-what-your-numbers-mean-article-155632084" data-type="tilCustomLink">blood test</a> would be much less invasive and could potentially be easier to repeat. 

Researchers around the world are already investigating this area. For example, <span>Harvard</span> researchers have developed artificial intelligence approaches that can identify people at increased risk of pancreatic cancer years before diagnosis using clinical information. 

Zheng's work takes a different route by looking for molecular signals associated with the tumour directly in blood. The reported results are encouraging, but the method would need extensive validation before doctors could use it routinely. 

Researchers would need to establish its accuracy across larger populations and determine whether it can reliably detect pancreatic cancer at stages when treatment is most effective.

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A 17-year-old high school student from Pennsylvania has developed a blood test for detecting pancreatic cancer. Its early testing indicated it correctly identified 87% of patients with the disease. Audrey Zheng, a senior at North Allegheny Senior High School in Wexford, Pennsylvania, developed the test as part of her bioengineering research. Her work focuses on detecting tiny tumour-derived particles circulating in the blood, potentially offering a less invasive way of identifying pancreatic cancer. In clinical testing, the method correctly identified 87% of people with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and correctly ruled out the disease in 87.5% of people who did not have it. Her research has earned her a place as a national finalist in the 2026 Regeneron Science Talent Search, one of the major science competitions for US high school students. Audrey Zheng's Blood Test Uses Tiny Tumour-Derived Particles The blood testdeveloped by Audrey Zheng uses tiny magnetic beads to separate tumour-derived particles from blood samples. These particles can carry biological information released by cancer cells. Zheng's research then focuses on analysing genetic mutations within this material to identify pancreatic cancer in patients. The milestone is noteworthy as pancreatic cancer is notoriously difficult to detect early. Many patients do not develop obvious symptoms until the disease has already advanced, reducing the chances of successful treatment.Also read: Moderna and Merck’s Custom-Made mRNA Cancer Vaccine Shows Promise In Late-Stage Melanoma Trial Early Detection Is A Major Challenge In Pancreatic Cancer Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma is one of the most aggressive forms of pancreatic cancer. There is currently no standard screening test for pancreatic cancer for people at average risk. Researchers have therefore been exploring blood-based biomarkers, imaging techniques, and artificial intelligence tools that could identify the disease earlier. Although Zheng's work is still at the research stage and would require much larger independent studies and trials before it could be considered for clinical use.Also read: Why Flight Attendants, Pilots Face Higher Risk Of Radiation-Linked Cancer Deaths Than Other Occupations? A Significant Milestone                The reported 87% figure refers to sensitivity, meaning the proportion of people with pancreatic cancer whom the test correctly identified. Its reported ability to correctly rule out cancer was 87.5%. Current diagnosis methods for pancreatic cancer involve imaging scans, endoscopic procedures, and tissue sampling, depending on the patient's symptoms and clinical situation. A blood test would be much less invasive and could potentially be easier to repeat. Researchers around the world are already investigating this area. For example, Harvard researchers have developed artificial intelligence approaches that can identify people at increased risk of pancreatic cancer years before diagnosis using clinical information. Zheng's work takes a different route by looking for molecular signals associated with the tumour directly in blood. The reported results are encouraging, but the method would need extensive validation before doctors could use it routinely. Researchers would need to establish its accuracy across larger populations and determine whether it can reliably detect pancreatic cancer at stages when treatment is most effective.

meet audrey zheng: 17-yo who developed blood test for pancreatic cancer that correctly identified 87% of patients

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Meet Audrey Zheng: 17-YO Who Developed Blood Test For Pancreatic Cancer That Correctly Identified 87% Of Patients

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Meet Audrey Zheng: 17-YO Who Developed Blood Test For Pancreatic Cancer That Correctly Identified 87% Of Patients

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